fireclown:On his seventieth birthday, my father was out on his motorcycle and hit a buzzard with his helmet.

Why did the buzzard have his helmet?

I've been chased by dogs while riding my motorcycle (HD). Pursuit predators are good at figuring out an intercept path when chasing you from one side. The easiest way to avoid them is to slow down a bit as they approach, then accelerate when they get close. When their intercept path is based on your slower speed, the acceleration prevents them from catching you. Once they are behind you (like this wolf) you can easily outrun them. I did have a large dog approach me from the front once. He actually went for my front tire. I accelerated and caught the side of his head with my highway peg. It flipped him over and rolled him into a ditch.

Carn:TheManMythLegend: Kibbler: CSB: I went to a friend's house a few years ago. As I pulled up, I saw a fox trot across his lawn, and the street, and then into a neighbor's lawn. I told him about it, because they had an outdoor cat. "You might want to keep him inside for a while." He half-grinned and made it clear he didn't believe I'd seen a fox. A couple hours later, we were heading out, and the first thing he saw when he stepped out the door was the same fox.

"Oh. I guess you did see a fox."

Booyah!

/now the things are everywhere

The cat is probably a bigger threat to the Fox than the other way around, domestic cats that are let outside wreak havoc on local ecosystems. They have all their shots and are well fed so they kill much of the food the wildlife would otherwise catch.

That is such horseshiat. Our house had a cornfield behind it when I was little. We'd occasionally find the carcasses of stray cats back there that had been found and eaten by coyotes. Never once seen a cat trotting around with a higher predator in it's mouth.

That's how my family cat went. She never strayed far from the property and had all her shots. Hardly a stray. We found her collar and tufts of her fur (long haired siamese) about 1/4 mile away. Most likely it was the coyotes.

Carn:TheManMythLegend: Kibbler: CSB: I went to a friend's house a few years ago. As I pulled up, I saw a fox trot across his lawn, and the street, and then into a neighbor's lawn. I told him about it, because they had an outdoor cat. "You might want to keep him inside for a while." He half-grinned and made it clear he didn't believe I'd seen a fox. A couple hours later, we were heading out, and the first thing he saw when he stepped out the door was the same fox.

"Oh. I guess you did see a fox."

Booyah!

/now the things are everywhere

The cat is probably a bigger threat to the Fox than the other way around, domestic cats that are let outside wreak havoc on local ecosystems. They have all their shots and are well fed so they kill much of the food the wildlife would otherwise catch.

That is such horseshiat. Our house had a cornfield behind it when I was little. We'd occasionally find the carcasses of stray cats back there that had been found and eaten by coyotes. Never once seen a cat trotting around with a higher predator in it's mouth.

I'm not saying they attack other predetors but domestoic cats that are well fed kill food that would otherwise be eaten by the wildlife. Lowering the amount of wildlife the environment can sustain.

TheManMythLegend:Carn: TheManMythLegend: Kibbler: CSB: I went to a friend's house a few years ago. As I pulled up, I saw a fox trot across his lawn, and the street, and then into a neighbor's lawn. I told him about it, because they had an outdoor cat. "You might want to keep him inside for a while." He half-grinned and made it clear he didn't believe I'd seen a fox. A couple hours later, we were heading out, and the first thing he saw when he stepped out the door was the same fox.

"Oh. I guess you did see a fox."

Booyah!

/now the things are everywhere

The cat is probably a bigger threat to the Fox than the other way around, domestic cats that are let outside wreak havoc on local ecosystems. They have all their shots and are well fed so they kill much of the food the wildlife would otherwise catch.

That is such horseshiat. Our house had a cornfield behind it when I was little. We'd occasionally find the carcasses of stray cats back there that had been found and eaten by coyotes. Never once seen a cat trotting around with a higher predator in it's mouth.

I'm not saying they attack other predetors but domestoic cats that are well fed kill food that would otherwise be eaten by the wildlife. Lowering the amount of wildlife the environment can sustain.

BS

cats might eat mice and small rodents in your yard. Unless you are hoarding cats, that's not enough to impact any predators higher in the chain. Most higher predators won't be doing alot of hunting in your yard. If they do, they're more likely to eat your healthy , well fed, and very tastey cat.

TheManMythLegend:Carn: TheManMythLegend: Kibbler: CSB: I went to a friend's house a few years ago. As I pulled up, I saw a fox trot across his lawn, and the street, and then into a neighbor's lawn. I told him about it, because they had an outdoor cat. "You might want to keep him inside for a while." He half-grinned and made it clear he didn't believe I'd seen a fox. A couple hours later, we were heading out, and the first thing he saw when he stepped out the door was the same fox.

"Oh. I guess you did see a fox."

Booyah!

/now the things are everywhere

The cat is probably a bigger threat to the Fox than the other way around, domestic cats that are let outside wreak havoc on local ecosystems. They have all their shots and are well fed so they kill much of the food the wildlife would otherwise catch.

That is such horseshiat. Our house had a cornfield behind it when I was little. We'd occasionally find the carcasses of stray cats back there that had been found and eaten by coyotes. Never once seen a cat trotting around with a higher predator in it's mouth.

I'm not saying they attack other predetors but domestoic cats that are well fed kill food that would otherwise be eaten by the wildlife. Lowering the amount of wildlife the environment can sustain.

Also probably bullshiat. Do you know why we have the phrase "breed like rabbits"? Because they can have babies every two weeks. So can other rodents such as mice, rats, voles, moles and squirrels, and foxes and coyotes kill and eat these too. I think it is far more likely that humans expanding suburbs and plowing under hundreds of thousands of acres of land aka environment that these animals lived on is the cause of their numbers decreasing. And I believe coyotes have been expanding back into the 'burbs and their populations are on the rise. Don't know about foxes. This "housecats are eating all their food!" is an unsupported, ridiculous argument. We had housecats growing up and one in particular pretty much killed all her food during 6 months of the year. There were always more rodents and birds where those came from and we were in a suburb.

Strik3r:TheManMythLegend: Carn: TheManMythLegend: Kibbler: CSB: I went to a friend's house a few years ago. As I pulled up, I saw a fox trot across his lawn, and the street, and then into a neighbor's lawn. I told him about it, because they had an outdoor cat. "You might want to keep him inside for a while." He half-grinned and made it clear he didn't believe I'd seen a fox. A couple hours later, we were heading out, and the first thing he saw when he stepped out the door was the same fox.

"Oh. I guess you did see a fox."

Booyah!

/now the things are everywhere

The cat is probably a bigger threat to the Fox than the other way around,

That is such horseshiat. Our house had a cornfield behind it when I was little. We'd occasionally find the carcasses of stray cats back there that had been found and eaten by coyotes. Never once seen a cat trotting around with a higher predator in it's mouth.

I'm not saying they attack other predetors but domestoic cats that are well fed kill food that would otherwise be eaten by the wildlife. Lowering the amount of wildlife the environment can sustain.

cats might eat mice and small rodents in your yard. Unless you are hoarding cats, that's not enough to impact any predators higher in the chain. Most higher predators won't be doing alot of hunting in your yard. If they do, they're more likely to eat your healthy , well fed, and very tastey cat.

We have hawks. Domestic kitty=mealtime for hawk. So when Fluffy pops out into to open to chase down a mouse that would barely be a morsel for the hawk...as you say, it's kinda like Chinese food for raptors.

Pet house cats kill millions of songbirds in the United States every year. What's the best way to keep a cat from killing birds? Keep it in the house.When dropped off in the country or left to fend for themselves on farms, house cats become wild. Wild house cats are one of Minnesota's most common predators.http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/young_naturalists/wildcats/index.html">ht tp://www.dnr.state.mn.us/young_naturalists/wildcats/index.html

Carn:TheManMythLegend: Kibbler: CSB: I went to a friend's house a few years ago. As I pulled up, I saw a fox trot across his lawn, and the street, and then into a neighbor's lawn. I told him about it, because they had an outdoor cat. "You might want to keep him inside for a while." He half-grinned and made it clear he didn't believe I'd seen a fox. A couple hours later, we were heading out, and the first thing he saw when he stepped out the door was the same fox.

"Oh. I guess you did see a fox."

Booyah!

/now the things are everywhere

The cat is probably a bigger threat to the Fox than the other way around, domestic cats that are let outside wreak havoc on local ecosystems. They have all their shots and are well fed so they kill much of the food the wildlife would otherwise catch.

That is such horseshiat. Our house had a cornfield behind it when I was little. We'd occasionally find the carcasses of stray cats back there that had been found and eaten by coyotes. Never once seen a cat trotting around with a higher predator in it's mouth.

Yeah, there's usually some made-up statistic thrown around when people want to start banning outdoor cats. "Oh my Gawd -- the cats -- ecological disaster!" These same people forget that we artificially inflate the bird population as well as a whole host of bird diseases with gigantic bird feeders, baths, etc. Lyme's disease ticks, West Nile, encephalitis, etc. The most I ever saw my old cat get (and she was an active hunter) was the occasional bird that flew into the window when the hawk startled them.

The fox on the other hand, I watch them eat EVERYTHING around here. No more baby turkeys. And the squirrel population seems to be declining nicely.

TheManMythLegend:A few years ago I was snowmobiling in the arrowhead of Minnesota near Lutsen and I came upon a wolf on the trail. Followed him for a few hundred yards then thought well his heart is going to explode if this keeps up so I sped up to go around him and right as I was beside him I glanced over and he showed his fangs then jumped sidways in the woods. It was one of the coolest things I ever saw. We wer probably less than a two feet from each other at one point. The next bend I went around though were a mother and child whitetail walking down the trail so I guess I ruined that guys lunch.

Last November a buddy and I were set up on an unnamed lake out in the bush on a caribou hunt. It was cold - damn cold - but there were tracks everywhere and we knew it was just a matter of time before the herd passed through on the way to forage.

We waited for 5 hours, freezing our nards off, before I saw a slight movement in the brush. Put the glass on it and saw a wolf watching us with an expression *exactly* like a classic troll face. I could almost hear it thinking " You mad Bro's?"

We packed up and headed home. That caribou herd was long gone if the wolves were around.

Pet house cats kill millions of songbirds in the United States every year. What's the best way to keep a cat from killing birds? Keep it in the house.When dropped off in the country or left to fend for themselves on farms, house cats become wild. Wild house cats are one of Minnesota's most common predators.http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/young_naturalists/wildcats/index.html">ht tp://www.dnr.state.mn.us/young_naturalists/wildcats/index.html

How many millions of songbirds are there? Do have the numbers on how many songbirds get run over by vehicles? How about poisoned by agricultural chemicals? Lose their habitat when another suburb goes up?

Should people dump their animals into the wild? Of course not. Saying that dumping animals is bad is an entirely different argument than saying that people shouldn't let their actual pet outside. Usually the argument on the animals shows is "it's safer for your kitty" not "please do not unleash the destroyer". Are housecats single-handedly taking over the food chain and annihilating everything in sight? No, that's farking ridiculous. All those other actual wildcats on the site you linked will kill and eat a housecat, feral or otherwise, that's on its turf. So will any other large predator including the ones we've been talking about, including foxes if it's a smaller cat.

Pet house cats kill millions of songbirds in the United States every year. What's the best way to keep a cat from killing birds? Keep it in the house.When dropped off in the country or left to fend for themselves on farms, house cats become wild. Wild house cats are one of Minnesota's most common predators.http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/young_naturalists/wildcats/index.html">ht tp://www.dnr.state.mn.us/young_naturalists/wildcats/index.html

It's true; they kill for entertainment what other predators require for survival. Development is a bigger concern but reduction of food supply hurts the wildlife trying to make it in the burbs.

Pet house cats kill millions of songbirds in the United States every year. What's the best way to keep a cat from killing birds? Keep it in the house.When dropped off in the country or left to fend for themselves on farms, house cats become wild. Wild house cats are one of Minnesota's most common predators.http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/young_naturalists/wildcats/index.html">ht tp://www.dnr.state.mn.us/young_naturalists/wildcats/index.html

How many millions of songbirds are there? Do have the numbers on how many songbirds get run over by vehicles? How about poisoned by agricultural chemicals? Lose their habitat when another suburb goes up?

Should people dump their animals into the wild? Of course not. Saying that dumping animals is bad is an entirely different argument than saying that people shouldn't let their actual pet outside. Usually the argument on the animals shows is "it's safer for your kitty" not "please do not unleash the destroyer". Are housecats single-handedly taking over the food chain and annihilating everything in sight? No, that's farking ridiculous. All those other actual wildcats on the site you linked will kill and eat a housecat, feral or otherwise, that's on its turf. So will any other large predator including the ones we've been talking about, including foxes if it's a smaller cat.

Songbirds are on the decline because of habitat loss. The next time you see them clearcut and area to put a Walmart in, that's why.

Pet house cats kill millions of songbirds in the United States every year. What's the best way to keep a cat from killing birds? Keep it in the house.When dropped off in the country or left to fend for themselves on farms, house cats become wild. Wild house cats are one of Minnesota's most common predators.http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/young_naturalists/wildcats/index.html">ht tp://www.dnr.state.mn.us/young_naturalists/wildcats/index.html

It's true; they kill for entertainment what other predators require for survival. Development is a bigger concern but reduction of food supply hurts the wildlife trying to make it in the burbs.

That article says "The researchers found the cats that killed did so about 2.1 times every week they spent outside." 2 times per week? A mama rat can pop out ten babies in two weeks. Plenty of rats for everybody!

The study that the article links to says "While loss of habitat is the primary cause of species extinctions, cats are responsible for the extinction of at least 33 species of birds around the world." How could they even write that sentence in good conscience. They state that habitat loss is the primary cause of extinctions then just toss out an unsupported claim that cats have caused 33 extinctions. I will actually agree with them that we should treat feral cats as invasive species and at the very least they should be captured and spayed/neutered. Again, this is an entirely different matter than whether Fluffy is wiping out all life in her territory.

EurotripIt's true; they kill for entertainment what other predators require for survival.

But do the well-fed housecats actually eat what they kill?Because there's a chance that the dead, slightly-nibbled-at songbird becomes a free meal for someone else.Well, assuming the dead, slightly-nibbled-at songbird doesn't end up under your bed or behind the sofa.

Pet house cats kill millions of songbirds in the United States every year. What's the best way to keep a cat from killing birds? Keep it in the house.When dropped off in the country or left to fend for themselves on farms, house cats become wild. Wild house cats are one of Minnesota's most common predators.http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/young_naturalists/wildcats/index.html">ht tp://www.dnr.state.mn.us/young_naturalists/wildcats/index.html

It's true; they kill for entertainment what other predators require for survival. Development is a bigger concern but reduction of food supply hurts the wildlife trying to make it in the burbs.

Mostly the cats don't eat the animals they catch if they're well fed. I live in a retirement community where everyone has food out for the racoons and cats. I've got 4 ferals around my place that'll leave a bird's headless body to be served up to lesser carnivores in the area. Maybe it's bait....Cats make life easier for small animals, so eco-wreckers ain't the whole truth.

The Voice of Doom:EurotripIt's true; they kill for entertainment what other predators require for survival.

But do the well-fed housecats actually eat what they kill?Because there's a chance that the dead, slightly-nibbled-at songbird becomes a free meal for someone else.Well, assuming the dead, slightly-nibbled-at songbird doesn't end up under your bed or behind the sofa.

Most don't because they are already full of hi vitamine food from home.

Unless the animal is a scavenger predators won't eat things already dead. Dead things have a lot of disieases and maggots etc.

TheManMythLegend:The Voice of Doom: EurotripIt's true; they kill for entertainment what other predators require for survival.

But do the well-fed housecats actually eat what they kill?Because there's a chance that the dead, slightly-nibbled-at songbird becomes a free meal for someone else.Well, assuming the dead, slightly-nibbled-at songbird doesn't end up under your bed or behind the sofa.

Most don't because they are already full of hi vitamine food from home.

Unless the animal is a scavenger predators won't eat things already dead. Dead things have a lot of disieases and maggots etc.

Scavengers make up an entire class..... should we not feed them either?

NoGods:fireclown: On his seventieth birthday, my father was out on his motorcycle and hit a buzzard with his helmet.

Why did the buzzard have his helmet?

I've been chased by dogs while riding my motorcycle (HD). Pursuit predators are good at figuring out an intercept path when chasing you from one side. The easiest way to avoid them is to slow down a bit as they approach, then accelerate when they get close. When their intercept path is based on your slower speed, the acceleration prevents them from catching you. Once they are behind you (like this wolf) you can easily outrun them. I did have a large dog approach me from the front once. He actually went for my front tire. I accelerated and caught the side of his head with my highway peg. It flipped him over and rolled him into a ditch.

That must have been scary as all hell! Shiny side up, rubber side down brother.

TheManMythLegend:The Voice of Doom: EurotripIt's true; they kill for entertainment what other predators require for survival.

But do the well-fed housecats actually eat what they kill?Because there's a chance that the dead, slightly-nibbled-at songbird becomes a free meal for someone else.Well, assuming the dead, slightly-nibbled-at songbird doesn't end up under your bed or behind the sofa.

Most don't because they are already full of hi vitamine food from home.

Unless the animal is a scavenger predators won't eat things already dead. Dead things have a lot of disieases and maggots etc.

MemeSlave:AverageAmericanGuy: Isn't it time to take wolves off the endangered species list?

Maybe time to start culling them. They've become a bit too aggressive, as this story shows.

You know how wolves work, right?

Apparently not. Wolves only kill if their territory is threatened or they are hungry. Most wolves will stay clear of humans. Coyotes, on the other hand, will kill something and not even eat it as they kill for pleasure as well as food. Coyotes are more of a direct threat to humans than wolves are.

FTDA:KidneyStone: I was on my bike and stalked by a huge ass white tiger. Granted, the tiger was behind a fence at a zoo, but when I stopped he stopped. I'd move a few feet an he'd move a few feet. Creepy.

trappedspirit:FTDA: KidneyStone: I was on my bike and stalked by a huge ass white tiger. Granted, the tiger was behind a fence at a zoo, but when I stopped he stopped. I'd move a few feet an he'd move a few feet. Creepy.

FTDA:trappedspirit: FTDA: KidneyStone: I was on my bike and stalked by a huge ass white tiger. Granted, the tiger was behind a fence at a zoo, but when I stopped he stopped. I'd move a few feet an he'd move a few feet. Creepy.

Strik3r:FTDA: trappedspirit: FTDA: KidneyStone: I was on my bike and stalked by a huge ass white tiger. Granted, the tiger was behind a fence at a zoo, but when I stopped he stopped. I'd move a few feet an he'd move a few feet. Creepy.

/Catechee Zoo and Preserve

Ching, ching bike or vroom vroom bike?

That's racist

Damnit, I've been spotted!

/unintentional racism.

I believe the term is "Accidental Racist".....

/obscure ?

You are correct in that I used the wrong phrase. With, "ching ching," I was attempting to emulate the sound of a bicycle bell; not conjure the image of George Takai (who is awesome) riding a tricycle down main street. FML, I just can't pull my foot out of my mouth today!